Dear Debra,

You may find the following publications useful:

the person that did much of the work in the paper should be the first author. Other contributors should be the second, third, fourth and so on...

Yes there is such a thing. Two authors (or more than two), if they want to indicate that their contributions to the paper are equal, can declare themselves to be "co-senior authors." Certainly some journals allow this. A statement about this is typically added as a footnote to the article.

http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/articles/10.1038/nj7417-591a

http://www.cell.com/neuron/authors

The question and the answers have been helpful. Surely, for researchers and institutes in fields of research that are struggling of their position in rankings, this is highly sensitive issue. For other fields of research this is more a matter of fair play among colleagues. Yet, it is good to have those links to codes of good conduct.

In general, after the completion of the study determined who will be the first and another author. It is not always so, that the person who carried out the study is the first author. Rather, the person who contributes most in the formation of publication.

I think that when the research is done and completed, the researchers will agree if the study was 50:50 or 70:30, or whatever proportion, the authors are THANKFUL to have seen it through.  At times, we may even need to state who did the initial planning, the data collection, analyses, and writing up.  Certainly it's not difficult to identify the major contributor.  But we cannot be calculative.  It is more blessed to give than to receive.  "The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much..."

There can be a nearly 50-50 percent or equal contribution in an article by two or more researchers. Order of authorship in an article must be in terms of the amount of contribution to the content. It must be decided, agreed and  approved by the participant researchers. Again the degree of contribution must also be determined together by the researchers.

There are many rules for that.

1. ideally, the co-author who does the first draft should be the first co-author; I have followed that rule in almost all my co-authored papers.

2. Some people decide to show authorship in  alphabetical order.

3. Sometimes, there is a covert pressure to keep the more powerful or dominating member as the first co-author (This often happens in India, and in some cases even in developed countries).

This 50-50 thing comes out only for getting the credit/benefit of authorship. It is not a 50-50 sharing of accountability.. To me, once, again, it is a manifestation of something common to many of us the attitude of "what is it for me?" Being listed as an author or co-author is already an honor..

In a team of authors, one who gave the Idea to write, even contributing equally may be given first authorship.

In the first place, there is no a 50 - 50 authorship. It depends on who initiated the idea even though one may lack expertise but what is also important is to consider the initial agreement and division of activities before you embark on a project. If this is ironed out at the early stages, for example first, second or may be third, it eliminates problems at the end.

UNESCO - Culture Sector

In the case of joint works, the contributors are considered co-authors who jointly own the rights in their creation. As joint owners they must generally exercise their rights together. Essentially, the co-authors may not unreasonably refuse to give their consent for the exploitation of the work. Unless otherwise contractually stipulated, profits are distributed in equal parts.

http://www.unesco.org/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CLT/diversity/pdf/WAPO/ABC_Copyright_en.pdf

Most of the time one person does most of the writing - this one normally is the first author. However, if the scientific work was shared 50-50, (I had this situation one time), I just put a footnote on the first page of the article that states: "These two authors have contributed equally to the paper."

Johannes is right. Too many cooks spoil the broth; so the article is written usually by one or two; they share authorship for various reasons which need not be scientific.

Narayanan

Is there such a thing as a 50-50 authorship and if so, who is the first author?

It is very rare to find 50-50 authorship - in case it does happens, suggest both authors rationally discussed who should be the first author.  Even though 50-50, if both authors are truthful to each other, between them each author will consciously know who should deserve for the first author based on respective contribution in the research.  Moreover, this issue should be less significant since they came a long way to complete the research & the article together.

I totally agree with Derek

Thank you for your opinion